Battle of Cordoba (1811)

The Battle of Cordoba took place on early May 1811 during the Peninsular War east of the city of Cordoba in Andalusia, Spain. France's general Victor Gaudin and 5,250 troops quelled a rebellion by Carlito Ortega's 2,250 Andalusian guerrillas, although Gaudin was killed.

Background
May 1811 brought rebellions against Napoleonic Spain in Navarra, Pais Vasco, and Cordoba, three provinces with a high anti-French sentiment spread by the clergy. The French government had to deal with these threats quickly, as they also faced larger Spanish, Portuguese, and British armies that were mobilizing. The most able of the government forces was in Cordoba, some 5,250 troops under Victor Gaudin. They were brought up against Carlito Ortega and only 2,250 Andalusian guerrillas, who were made up of rebel Cazadores.

Battle
The Spanish guerrillas were well-hidden, with only the guerrilla cavalry showing up in the sights of the French army. The French divided into two forces; the left was made of Chasseurs and two infantry units, while the unit on the right was also made up of two infantry units. Gaudin led a charge of the Chasseurs a Cheval against Ortega, but the Tiradores fired and revealed themselves, killing Gaudin and many of his men. The Chasseurs fled the field on their horses, but on the right French flank the Fusiliers of Line routed Ortega's cavalry and moved left to crush the rebels threatening the French army on the left flank. Outnumbered and fired on from two directions, the Spanish guerrillas retreated, losing 1,820 men, while 1,460 French were lost.

Aftermath
Despite the death of Gaudin, the revolt was quelled and Ortega was garroted to death after the battle. The other rebellions were less successful; the one in Navarre was crushed, while the Basque rebels took over Vitoria-Gasteiz but were later forced out.